Delayed start on cards, as rain plays hide & seek

ENG vs IND Live, 1st Test, Day 5: It all comes down to Day 5 in Leeds with all three results possible in the 1st Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. England will resume at 21/0, chasing 371 with 350 runs still needed to go 1-0 up. For India, they need 10 wickets to take the lead in the five-match Test series. While the India Cricket Team will rely heavily on Jasprit Bumrah, weather could play its part. There is a 40-50% chance of rain throughout Day 5, and that could prevent both teams from winning. At Headingly, England have chased down 359 against Australia while Australia have chased down 404. So, an England win is possible if the weather permits.

ENG vs IND Live Updates, Day 5

England vs India 1st Test, Day 5 Preview

Day 4 at Headingley was a rollercoaster, setting up a blockbuster final day with all three results possible. India, resuming their second innings, saw KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118) notch centuries, powering them to 364 before a dramatic collapse of six wickets for 37 runs. England’s seamers, led by Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse, exploited overcast conditions, while Shoaib Bashir dismissed Pant. India’s lead grew to 370, setting England a 371-run target. However, India’s bowlers, including Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, couldn’t capitalise on the new ball under clearing skies, as England’s openers Crawley and Duckett cautiously navigated to 21/0 at stumps.

Pant’s twin centuries and KL Rahul’s elegant hundred highlighted India’s dominance. But their late collapse kept England in the hunt. The pitch showed variable bounce, with some balls spitting up and others staying low, promising a tough chase. England’s disciplined batting approach, contrasting their usual “Bazball” aggression, hinted at a calculated strategy for Day 5. With rain looming, both teams will push for a result, with India banking on Bumrah’s brilliance and England eyeing a record-breaking chase, the highest at Headingley being 359 in a five-day Test.

Headingley Pitch Report Day 5

The Headingley pitch has held up well but shows signs of deterioration. On Day 4, it offered variable bounce, with some balls rearing up and others keeping low, challenging batsmen. KL Rahul confirmed that rough patches developed on the pitch. It could aid spinners like Ravindra Jadeja, especially with cracks opening up. Pacers found sideways movement under overcast skies, but the surface flattened out in sunlight. Day 5 is likely to see further wear, with spin and uneven bounce playing bigger roles.

The pitch’s behaviour remains heavily influenced by overhead conditions, making early sessions critical for seamers. A first-innings score of 300 was deemed competitive, and with England chasing 371, batting last will be tough. Historically, the last four chases here (322, 359, 296, 251) suggest a flattish track later, but 371 would be a record for a five-day Test at Headingley.

Leeds Weather Report

The weather forecast for Day 5 in Leeds is gloomy, with rain expected to play a significant role. AccuWeather predicts mostly cloudy conditions with intermittent showers, particularly in the afternoon, with a 60% chance of precipitation around 2 PM. Morning play may see brief dry spells, but persistent rain could disrupt the final sessions, potentially leading to a draw. Temperatures will hover around 23°C, cooler than earlier days, with breezy conditions.

Unlike Days 1 and 5, which were mostly clear, Day 5’s forecast aligns with Days 2 and 3, where showers caused minor interruptions. Both teams will need to strategise around potential stoppages, with India hoping for enough play to force wickets and England banking on rain to save them if their chase falters.

Playing 11s

India Playing XI:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

England Playing XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir